Welcome New Staff!

We are excited to welcome new staff to our team!

From left to right: Jay Mayes (Athletic Director), Liz Lindblom (HR), Megan Liesmaki (Theater Faculty), Lauren Schwen (School Counselor), Kim Hoehne (Science), Kyle Leaman (Bible Faculty), Andrew Johnson (History Faculty), and Courtney Kling— not pictured (Asst. Athletic Director).

JAY MAYES, Athletic Director:
B.A. Psychology, Gettysburg College

Jay Mayes is dedicated to fostering a Christ-centered athletic environment at Southwest Christian High School (SWCHS) where student-athletes can pursue excellence both on and off the field. He oversees the development and growth of all athletic programs, ensuring they align with the school’s mission of integrating faith and sports. Mayes has a wealth of experience in the sport and entertainment industry, having worked with several professional sports organizations including the Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx, Baltimore Ravens, and Portland LumberJax. His coaching career includes positions as the Head Coach at University of Northwestern- St. Paul, an Assistant Coach and Offensive/Recruiting Coordinator at Gordon College, as well as Offensive Coordinator roles at the University of Arizona (MCLA) and Houston Christian High School (Houston, TX).

Jay and his wife, Lindsey, currently live in Roseville, MN, with their daughter Moriyah. They attend Corner Fringe Ministries and enjoy being active members of their community. In his spare time, Jay enjoys fishing, playing chess, writing and spending quality time with his family.

LIZ LINDBLOM, Human Resources: 
B.A. in Business,Human Resource Management

Liz and her husband, Greg, live in Victoria with their four children, Hannah, Grace, Charlie, and Cora.

Liz has a degree in business with an emphasis in human resource management from Bethel University. Since getting her degree, Liz has worked in human resources, office management, and accounting. She has been using her people management and leadership skills as a stay-at-home mom for the past fifteen years.

While Liz spends most of her free time running kids to activities, she also enjoys reading, running, gardening, and being outside as much as possible. Liz and her family attend Meadow Spring Church where they enjoy volunteering in several ministries.

MEGAN LIESMAKI, Theater Faculty:
B.A. in Psychology and Theater, University of Northwestern-St. Paul

Megan Liesmaki is a Twin Cities-based theater artist. She is passionate about using the medium of theater to tell stories that point to the deeper realities of existence in God’s world. She graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul in 2020 and has since directed around the Twin Cities at the elementary, middle school, community, and collegiate theater levels.

Megan lives in St. Anthony and when not directing, she enjoys walking, painting and drawing, reading, and spending time with her community and family – including her seven nieces and nephews. She attends Emmanuel Covenant Church. She adores nature and the many Minnesota seasons.

LAUREN SCHWEN, School Counselor:
M.A. Counseling Psychology, Bethel University
B.A. Psychology, Wheaton College

Lauren returns to Southwest Christian to join the school counselor team. As a 2018 graduate, she recognizes the profound impact Southwest had on her growth as a student, friend, and follower of Christ. She is excited to be able to play a role in supporting current students as they navigate the joys and challenges of high school and prepare for their future.

Following her graduation from Southwest, Lauren earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Wheaton College in Illinois. She returned to Minnesota to complete her master’s degree in counseling at Bethel University where she worked with children and teenagers at a Christian private practice. This experience strengthened her commitment to providing Christ-centered support and care based on the Truth of who God is and who we are as His followers. She is passionate about walking alongside students as they discover how God has uniquely gifted them and called them to expand His Kingdom on earth.

Lauren lives in Victoria, Minnesota with her family. She attends Grace Church and participates in a BSF group. In her free time, Lauren is often found outdoors going for walks, paddleboarding, and playing volleyball. She also enjoys reading a good book, baking, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends.

KIM HOEHNE, Science Faculty:
M.A. Educational Leadership, Bethel University
B.A. Physics, Bethel University
B.A. Physical Science Secondary Education, Bethel University

Kim Hoehne is a passionate educator who enjoys cultivating a community-focused classroom environment that encourages curiosity and exploration. She loves to learn and brings innovative and research-based instructional strategies into her classroom so she can best serve her students.

Since beginning her teaching career in 1996, Kim has embraced a variety of roles at the high school level, including teaching Physical Science and AP Physics, serving as a department chair, instructional technology coach, teacher instructional coach, and director of a high school research program. She has also presented at several state and national professional conferences and was honored as a semi-finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2011.In addition to her work in education, Kim has a strong background in coaching, having spent years on the track and in the gym, coaching at both high school and collegiate levels.

Kim resides in Waconia with her husband, Darren, their four children—Kjersten, Micah, Eli, and Ally—and their energetic Aussiedoodle, Acadia. The family is actively involved with Grace Church in Chaska. In her free time, Kim enjoys cheering on her family at various activities, curling up with a good book by the fire, shooting hoops, and taking leisurely walks.

KYLE LEAMAN, Bible Faculty:
M.A. Christian Formation & Ministry, Wheaton College
B.A. Religious Studies, Florida State University

Kyle Leaman seeks to guide students in loving God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength. He teaches New Testament Survey to sophomores. Kyle began his teaching career in 2014 at Cocoa High School where he taught computing and yearbook classes. In 2015 he joined the high school Bible faculty at Christian Academy of Louisville in Kentucky. Over the next nine years, Kyle taught all high school grade levels and was the lead curriculum writer on eight courses.

Mr. Leaman helped to design, plant, and run a three-year Bible pathway focused on deeper spiritual formation. High school students earned a diploma of distinction for completing the pathway. Mr. Leaman enjoys reading a good history book, having engaging conversations over good food or coffee, and watching great films.

ANDREW JOHNSON, Social Studies Faculty:
M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, Western Governors University
M.A. History and Secondary Education, Seattle Pacific University

Andrew Johnson has been a licensed social studies teacher since 2009 and has taught in both public and private school settings, as well as abroad in Hungary. He is new to the staff of SWCHS this year, and very excited to plant roots with his family in the great state of Minnesota. He's served on a variety of committees and adviserships, including the Curriculum Innovation Team and Literature Committee at Bellevue Christian School. His greatest passion is helping students become fired up about learning history, becoming skilled historians, and exploring and engaging with both the blessings and mistakes of the past. Andrew has also served as a member of the Board at First Free Methodist Church in Seattle, as well as a worship leader for a decade there.

In his spare time, he loves spending time with his wife, Chelsea, and newborn daughter Ruth outdoors, traveling to historical sites and battlefields, going to Mariners and Seahawks games, and playing bluegrass and classical violin.

COURTNEY KLING, Asst. Athletic Director:
B.S. Exercise Science emphasis in Biokinetics, Bethel University
M.S. Exercise Science, University of Concordia-St. Paul

We welcome back Courtney, a '13 alumni of SWCHS. Since graduating, she has worked for M Health for seven years serving patients in the cardiopulmonary rehab department. Courtney has coached volleyball since 2013 and will join our volleyball coaching staff this fall.